JP2003275495A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance reliability in holding lock and holding lock release while holding a rotating drum in a rotation stop state in the case of opening a cover. <P>SOLUTION: A locking device 10 comprises a lock pin 14 engaged with an engaged hole 7 of a cover 6; an electromagnetic solenoid 12; a link mechanism 15 putting the lock pin in engaging operation and engagement release operation in response to the operation of the solenoid 12; and a lock detecting switch 13 having a connecting bar 13b held in two positions, and detecting lock and lock release. On condition that a lock state is detected by the lock detecting switch 13, driving of a motor is allowed. In releasing the lock, the solenoid 12 is put in lock release operation on condition that the stop or low speed of the motor is detected by a low speed detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a lid locking device.

[0002]

Conventionally, as is well known, a washing machine is provided with a lid for opening and closing the opening of the washing machine body, and the washing machine is in operation (when the rotating tub or the stirring body is rotated). It is preferable that the lid is not opened, but it is configured so that the lid can be opened especially in the case of spin-drying in consideration of cases such as inspection of laundry and stoppage in the middle. In this case, when the lid is opened, the rotation of the motor is braked to stop the rotation of the rotary tank immediately. However,
In this case, it took some time from the start of opening the lid to stopping the rotation of the rotary tank, and the rotary tank was still spinning with the lid fully opened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to normally lock the lid in a closed state, and to stop the rotation of the rotary tank when the lid is opened when necessary. (EN) It is possible to provide a washing machine which can be locked and which is highly reliable in holding and unlocking.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine main body having a rotary tub therein, a motor for driving the rotary tub, and the rotation of the motor being stopped or reduced in speed. A low speed detecting means for detecting, a lid having an engaged portion for locking the opening / closing of the main body of the washing machine, and a lock pin, and the lock pin is engaged with and disengaged from the engaged portion of the lid. A lock device for locking and unlocking the closed state of the lid is provided, and the lock device is configured to include an electromagnetic solenoid for operating the plunger, two rotating levers and a connecting bar, and An alternation type switch having a link mechanism that engages and disengages the lock pin in response to an operation and the connecting bar as a switch operator, and the connecting bar is held at two positions. And a lock detection switch that detects lock and unlock in response to the operation of the link mechanism and holds the locked state and the unlocked state, and the lock detection switch detects the locked state. When the lock is released, the electromagnetic solenoid is unlocked under the condition that the low speed detecting means detects the stop or low speed of the motor. However, it has a feature.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lid is provided with the engaged portion for locking, and the engaging portion for locking is provided with the locking device having the lock pin for engaging and disengaging. Therefore, the lid can be normally locked in the closed state, and at the time of unlocking, the electromagnetic solenoid of the lock device is unlocked on condition that the low speed detecting means detects the stop or low speed of the motor. Therefore, when the lid is opened when necessary, the rotation of the rotary tank can be stopped.

Moreover, the lock device has a built-in lock detection switch for detecting locking and unlocking, and the drive of the motor is permitted on condition that the lock detection switch detects the locked state. It is possible to eliminate the rotation of the rotary tank with the lid open, and
Since the lock bar is held in the lock position and the lock release position is held by the two-position holding action of the connecting bar in the lock detection switch, the lock hold and the lock release hold are highly reliable.
Further, since the link mechanism including the two rotating levers and the connecting bar is provided, even if the lock pin is impacted, the lock detection switch is less likely to be impacted. Further, since the lock detection switch detects lock and unlock, lock holding and lock release holding, the structure is simple.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the lock detection switch has a structure in which the switch contact is turned off when the lock is detected and the switch contact is turned on when the lock is released.

According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to satisfactorily perform the connection failure inspection. That is, the lock detection switch is connected to the control circuit of the washing machine,
When the control circuit side inspects the connection failure of the connection line, it is performed in the unlocked state. In a normal state where there is no poor connection, ON is output in this unlocked state, but it is turned off when there is a poor connection. As a result, connection failure can be detected. By the way, with the configuration in which the connection is off when the lock is released, the control circuit side always detects the off and cannot detect the connection failure regardless of the presence or absence of the connection failure of the connection line.

The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the link mechanism is provided with a manual operation portion for manually operating the link mechanism. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the lock release operation cannot be performed due to a power failure or other reasons, the user or the service person can operate the link mechanism by the manual operation unit to perform the lock release. be able to.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention applied to a vertical fully automatic washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 3, the washing machine main body 1 is configured to include an outer box 2 and an upper cover 3. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 4 for loading and unloading laundry is formed.
An operation panel 5 is detachably provided on the front portion of the upper cover 3. Furthermore, this upper cover 3 has
A two-folded lid 6 that opens and closes the opening 4 is rotatably provided with its rear end portion pivotally supported. This lid 6 is the front plate 6
a and a rear plate portion 6b, and an engaged piece 8 having an engaged hole 7 as an engaged portion is vertically provided at a front end portion of the front plate portion 6a.

A rotating tub 9 serving as a dehydrating and washing tub is provided inside the washing machine main body 1, and an agitator (not shown) is provided at the inner bottom of the rotating tub 9. .
Further, a lock device 10 is provided on the rear surface side of the operation panel 5 in the upper cover 3 so as to correspond to the engaged hole 7.

This locking device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Will be described with reference to. The case 11 includes a case body 11a and a case lid (not shown).
1a has a solenoid accommodating portion 11b formed in the upper right portion of the figure and a switch accommodating portion 11c in the lower left portion. An electromagnetic solenoid 12 is housed and fixed in the solenoid housing portion 11b. This electromagnetic solenoid 12
Is a main body 12a having an electromagnet inside, and the main body 12a
and a plunger 12b which projects from a and moves in the direction of arrow A and in the opposite direction. The plunger 12b moves to the arrow A when the electromagnet is energized. A lead wire 12c for leading the electromagnet to the main body 12a is led out.

The switch housing portion 11c of the case body 11a
A lock detection switch 13 is arranged and fixed therein. The lock detection switch 13 is composed of an alternate type switch. That is, although not shown, a fixed contact and a so-called heart-cam type cam groove are provided inside the switch body 13a. Further, a connection bar 13b as a switch operator is provided on the switch body 13a so as to be movable in the arrow B direction and the opposite direction, and the connection bar 13b is electrically connected (switch-on) to the fixed contact. A movable contact that opens and closes (switches off), an engaging element that moves along the cam groove, and a spring that urges the connecting bar 13b in the direction opposite to the arrow B are provided.

The lock detection switch 13 is switched on in the state shown in FIG. 1, and when the connecting bar 13b is pushed (moved) in the direction of arrow B from this state, the switch is turned off. The cam groove and the engagement element are engaged to hold the cam groove in the position shown in FIG.
From the state shown in FIG. 2, when the push-in operation is performed again in the direction of the arrow B for a slight distance, the engagement is disengaged, the connecting bar 13b is returned in the direction opposite to the arrow B, and the switch is turned on.
It is held in the position of FIG. As described above, the lock detection switch 13 is switched by the first pushing operation from the first position C1 in FIG. 1 and is held in the second position C2, and is pushed again and is operated by the switch and held in the first position C1. It has a so-called alternate switch configuration.

On the other hand, a pin disposing cylindrical portion 11d and a stopper portion 11e are formed on the upper portion (rear portion in FIG. 3) of the case main body 11a, and the pin disposing cylindrical portion 1 is formed.
The lock pin 14 is provided on 1d so as to be movable in the arrow D direction and the opposite direction.

The case body 11a includes an electromagnetic solenoid 1
A link mechanism 15 for transmitting the movement of the second plunger 12b to the lock pin 14 is provided, which includes a connector 16, a first rotation lever 17, the connection bar 13b, and a second rotation. And a lever 18. That is, the connector 16 is attached to the tip of the plunger 12b, and the connector 16 and the main body 1 are attached.
A spring 19 for urging the plunger 12b in a direction opposite to the arrow A is provided between the spring 19 and 2a.

The first rotating lever 17 is rotatably attached at its central portion by a shaft 17a, has an elongated hole 17b formed at one end thereof, and an elongated hole 17c at the other end thereof.
And a manual operation part 17d is formed so that a part thereof protrudes from the case body 11a. A shaft-shaped projection 16a formed on the connector 16 is fitted in the one long hole 17b, and a shaft-shaped projection 13c formed on the proximal end side of the connecting bar 13b is fitted in the other long hole 17c. It is fitted.

The intermediate portion of the second rotating lever 18 is rotatably attached by a shaft 18a. A long hole 18b is formed at one end and a long hole 18c is formed at the other end. The shaft-shaped projection 13 formed at the tip of the connecting bar 13b is provided in the one elongated hole 18b.
d is fitted, and the other long hole 18c is fitted with a shaft-like projection 14a formed on the base end side of the lock pin 14. Switch body 1 of the lock detection switch 13
A lead wire 20 is led out to 3b, which is connected to a control circuit 21 (see FIG. 5). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lock pin insertion hole 3a is formed in the front portion of the upper cover 3.

In FIG. 1, the lock detection switch 13 is in the switch-on state, and the lock pin 14 unlocks the lid 16 in the closed state. In this state, when the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is energized, the plunger 12b moves in the direction of arrow A, and as a result, the link mechanism 15 operates as shown in FIG. 2 to move the lock pin 14 in the direction of arrow D,
Thus, the closed state of the lid 6 is locked. At this time, the lock detection switch 13 is turned off. After that, when the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is cut off, the plunger 12b tries to return in the direction opposite to the arrow A by the spring force of the spring 19.
The connecting bar 13b of the lock detection switch 13 returns in the direction opposite to the arrow B by a small play distance, the engaging element engages with the cam groove, and the connecting bar 13b is moved to a position substantially after the movement (second
Since the link mechanism 15 is held in the position C2), the link mechanism 15 is held in the state of FIG. 2, and thus the lock pin 14 is held in the state of locking the lid 6.

After that, when the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is re-energized, the plunger 12b moves in the direction of arrow A by the minute play distance (the engagement between the cam groove and the engagement element in the lock detection switch 13 is released). , The connecting bar 13b becomes movable in the direction opposite to the arrow B). When the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is cut off, the plunger 12b moves to the spring 1
9 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow A. As a result, the link mechanism 15 returns to the state shown in FIG.
3 is switched on and the lock pin 14 returns to the unlocked position.

In FIG. 5, the control circuit 21 is constituted by including, for example, a microcomputer, and a switch input from an operation switch group 22 (which is provided on the operation panel 5) is given to the control circuit 21. At the same time, the ON / OFF signal from the lock detection switch 13 is given. Furthermore, a rotation speed detection signal described later is input.

The control circuit 21 drives the water supply valve 23, the drain valve 24, the motor 25 and the electromagnetic solenoid 12 in accordance with each input according to the washing operation program stored in the memory.
The drive control is performed via 6, and the display unit 27 (provided on the operation panel 5) is also drive controlled. The motor 25 rotates the stirring body forward and backward during washing and rinsing, and directly rotates the rotating tank 9 and the stirring body directly at high speed during dehydration.

Furthermore, the rotation speed of the motor 25 is detected by the rotation sensor 28, and the rotation speed detection signal is input to the control circuit 21. The control circuit 21 detects that the rotation of the motor 25 is almost stopped based on the rotation speed detection signal, and the control circuit 21 and the rotation sensor 28 constitute a low speed detection means.

The control circuit 21 controls the locking and unlocking of the lid 6 as follows. That is, when the lid 6 is closed and the start switch is operated, the control circuit 2
6, the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is energized for a short time T at time t1 as shown in FIG. Then, as mentioned above,
From the state of FIG. 1, the link mechanism 15 operates, the lock pin 14 locks the closed state of the lid 6, and the lock detection switch 13 is turned off. This switch-off signal is given to the control circuit 21 as a lock detection signal. Then, the control circuit 21 allows the motor 25 to be driven by this lock detection signal. That is, after supplying water, the motor 25 is energized to be washed easily, and further dehydrated.

For example, the control circuit 21 turns off the motor 25 when the dehydration time has expired and the dehydration is completed (brake may be applied if necessary). After this, the lock on the lid 6 is released, but prior to that, the control circuit 21
Detects whether or not the rotation of the motor 25 is low speed (speed at which the motor 25 stops immediately), and when it is detected that the speed is low (time point t2 in FIG. 6), the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is turned on for a short time T. Energize. As a result, in the state of FIG. 2, the plunger 1
2b moves in the direction of arrow A to release the engagement of the connecting bar 13b of the lock detection switch 13, so that the connecting bar 13b
1 can move in the direction opposite to the arrow B, and the electromagnetic solenoid 12 is cut off thereafter to operate the link mechanism 15 and
Then, the lid 6 is unlocked. Therefore, the lid 6 can be opened after the rotation of the motor 25 and thus the rotation tank 9 is completely stopped.

If the cover 6 is locked and the electromagnetic solenoid 12 fails, the cover 6 can be unlocked by removing the operation panel 5 of the upper cover 3 and operating the manual operation unit 17d. You can do it.

According to this embodiment, the lid 6 is provided with the engaged hole 7 for locking, and the locking device 10 is provided with the lock pin 14 for engaging and disengaging the engaged hole 7. Since the cover 6 is provided, the lid 6 can be normally locked in the closed state, and when unlocking, the lock circuit 10 is unlocked on condition that the control circuit 21 detects the low speed rotation of the motor 25. Therefore, when the lid 6 is opened when necessary, the rotation of the rotary tank 9 can be stopped.

Moreover, the lock device 10 has a lock detecting switch 13 for detecting lock and unlock,
Since the drive of the motor 25 is allowed on the condition that the lock detection switch 13 detects the locked state, the rotation of the rotary tank 9 with the lid 6 open can be eliminated, and Since the lock holding switch and the lock releasing hold are achieved by the two-position holding action of the connecting bar 13b in the lock detecting switch 13, the lock holding and the lock releasing holding are highly reliable, and further, the two turning levers 17, Since the link mechanism 15 including the 18 and the connecting bar 13b is provided, even if the lock pin 14 is impacted, the lock detection switch 13 is less likely to be impacted. Further, since the lock detection switch 13 is used to detect lock and unlock, lock hold and lock release hold, the configuration is simple.

Further, since the lock detection switch 13 is configured so that the switch contact is turned off when the lock is detected and the switch contact is turned on when the lock is released, the connection failure inspection can be satisfactorily performed. That is, the lock detection switch 13
Is connected to the control circuit 21, but in the case where the control circuit 21 side inspects the connection failure of the connection line 20,
This is performed while the lock device 10 is unlocked. In a normal state where there is no poor connection, ON is output in this unlocked state, but it is turned off when there is a poor connection. As a result, connection failure can be detected. By the way, in the case where the lock circuit is off when unlocked, the control circuit 21 side always detects the off state and cannot detect the connection failure regardless of whether the connection line 20 has a connection failure or not. I was able to solve something.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the link mechanism 15 is provided with the manual operation portion 17d for manually operating the link mechanism 15, the lock release operation cannot be performed due to a power failure or other causes. In such a case, the user or the service person can operate the link mechanism 15 by the manual operation unit 17d and unlock it.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be modified as follows. That is, not only the vertical fully automatic washing machine, but also a two-tub type washing machine (in this case, the dehydration tub corresponds to the rotary tub), a drum type washing machine (in this case, the drum corresponds to the rotary tub), May be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. Further, the low speed detecting means may detect a complete stop of the motor.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can normally lock the lid in the closed state, and can stop the rotation of the rotary tank when the lid is opened when necessary. It is possible to obtain an effect that the lock holding and the lock releasing holding are highly reliable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the inside of a lock device in an unlocked state, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the lock device in a locked state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entire washing machine with the lid closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire washing machine with the lid open.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing operating states of an electromagnetic solenoid and a lock detection switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a washing machine main body, 4 is an opening, 6 is a lid, 7 is an engaged hole (engaged portion), 9 is a rotary tub, 10 is a locking device, 12 is an electromagnetic solenoid, 12b is a plunger, and 13 is lock detection. A switch, 13b is a connecting bar, 14 is a lock pin, 15 is a link mechanism, 17 is a first rotating lever, 18 is a second rotating lever, 21 is a control circuit (low speed detecting means), 25 is a motor, 28 Indicates a rotation sensor (low speed detection means).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine main body having a rotating tub inside, a motor for driving the rotating tub, and a low speed detecting means for detecting that the rotation of the motor is stopped or becomes low speed.
A lid having an engaged portion for locking and opening and closing the opening of the washing machine main body and a lock pin are provided to engage and disengage the engaged portion of the lid to close the lid. A lock device for locking and unlocking is provided, and the lock device is configured to include an electromagnetic solenoid that operates a plunger, two rotating levers and a connecting bar, and the lock device responds to the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid. It is composed of a link mechanism that engages and disengages pins, and an alternate switch that has the connecting bar as a switch operator and is held in two positions. Lock detection and lock release detection, and a lock detection switch that holds the locked and unlocked states. The drive of the motor is permitted on the condition that the state is detected, and when the lock is released, the electromagnetic solenoid is unlocked on the condition that the low speed detection means detects the stop or the low speed of the motor. Washing machine. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the lock detection switch has a structure in which the switch contact is turned off when the lock is detected and the switch contact is turned on when the lock is released. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism is provided with a manual operation section for manually operating the link mechanism.